Bell Labs exec's Korea dream ends

SEOUL, South Korea A Korean-born U.S. entrepreneur, nominated by President Park Geun-hye to be minister of education, science and technology, withdrew Monday, blaming political gridlock that delayed his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly.

The choice of Jeong H. Kim, president of New Jersey-based Bell Labs, as South Korea's newly created “minister of creative future and science” had been the highlight of Park's government reorganization.

“I left behind what I have built in the United States and returned home so I could devote the rest of my life to the country where I was born,” Kim, 52, said Monday. “But as I watched the confusion over the government reorganization bill, my dreams were also shattered.”

Political negotiations on Park's government reorganization bill remain bogged down over the portfolio of the ministry, which would absorb science, technology and other innovation-related topics. The main opposition Democratic United Party accused Park of trying to control the broadcasting sector.

Opposition lawmakers have also raised questions about Kim's suitability as a Cabinet member, noting he once served on the External Advisory Board at the CIA, as well as a director at In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm set up with CIA funding.

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